South Sudan’s National Public Health Institute (NPHI) and Ministry of Health have met with the United Kingdom Rapid Response Team to plan the deploy...
South Sudan’s National Public Health Institute (NPHI) and Ministry of Health have met with the United Kingdom Rapid Response Team to plan the deployment of a mobile laboratory aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to detect and respond to infectious diseases.The meeting focused on assessing the requirements and developing a deployment strategy for a Type 2 Rapid Response Mobile Laboratory, which the UK team plans to establish at Yambio State Hospital within the next two to three weeks.The laboratory will provide molecular diagnostic services to support the timely detection and investigation of infectious disease outbreaks, including potential public health emergencies.Planned testing capabilities include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostics, virus-specific PCR testing and pan-filovirus testing to help detect viruses belonging to the filovirus group. The team will also explore the possibility of introducing differential diagnostic testing for mpox and other viruses circulating in the region.The initiative is expected to improve access to timely laboratory testing and strengthen South Sudan’s preparedness and response to priority infectious disease threats.As part of the deployment, the UK team will support training for laboratory personnel from the Ministry of Health and NPHI, as well as subnational health and laboratory staff, including those based in Yambio.The training is intended to strengthen local technical expertise and ensure that national and local personnel can effectively operate the facility and support ongoing disease surveillance and outbreak investigations.The planned deployment forms part of efforts to enhance South Sudan’s public health laboratory capacity and improve its ability to identify and respond to emerging infectious disease threats.Photo Credit: NPHI Communications
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